Not just Crabtree: Nine NFL rookie holdouts still hurting their prospects

With most NFL training camps entering their second week and preseason games set to kick off in the coming days, the absence of first-round holdouts becomes an increasingly more pronounced problem for their respective teams with each passing day. And in Michael Crabtree's situation, not only is he missing time that is critical for a young receiver trying to adapt to the league, now his handlers are amping up the rhetoric with the 49ers.

Here's a look at the nine remaining first-round holdouts and the way their truancy affects them and their clubs:

No. 3 -- Tyson Jackson, DE, Chiefs: With the Chiefs installing a 3-4 system, at least Jackson won't show up to a finely tuned operation whenever he does report ... and this crew was a long way from fine-tuned as a 4-3 team in 2008. And he is being counted on as a keystone for the revamped unit, but new defensive linemen are often prone to struggle just as mightily as rookie quarterbacks and receivers (yes, this means you, Glenn Dorsey). And, really, is new coach Todd Haley a guy you want to cross coming out of the chute? (UPDATE: The Chiefs signed Jackson on Friday afternoon.)

No. 4 -- Aaron Curry, LB, Seahawks: Just as newbie running backs may not absorb every nuance in Year 1, basically they know to see hole, hit hole, and run as far and as fast as they can. Similarly, rookie linebackers may be out of position more than they should be, but they know to read, react and tackle. Curry should be a strong contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year if he's on the field in Week 1. And in light of the trade of Julian Peterson to Detroit, the Seahawks don't have anyone close to Curry's ability that they can line up alongside Lofa Tatupu and LeRoy Hill.

No. 6 -- Andre Smith, T, Bengals: Considering that the players bracketing Smith (Mark Sanchez and Darrius Heyward-Bey) have signed, it's hard to justify a prolonged holdout here, especially since a good impression would behoove Smith in light of his pre-draft missteps. In his favor: Marvin Lewis seems ready, even now, to turn over the starting right tackle job to Smith.

No. 8 -- Eugene Monroe, T, Jaguars: Go ahead, Eugene, get every last dime you can. But with veteran Ts Tra Thomas and Tony Pashos on the roster and second-rounder Eben Britton also in the fold, you may not be getting every opportunity to play in 2009.

No. 9 -- B.J. Raji, DL, Packers: Like Tyson Jackson, Raji should benefit since his club's defense is in transition, and Raji projects as a linchpin of Green Bay's new three-man front given he can play end or nose. Again, just remember that rookie D-linemen have a tough transition, Green Bay's Justin Harrell being a recent cautionary tale.

No. 10 -- Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers: Is the prospect of trying to beat out Josh Morgan, Brandon Jones, Jason Hill and an aging Isaac Bruce all that intimidating? Perhaps not, especially since Crabtree was almost universally regarded as the most talented receiving prospect in the draft. Is the prospect of screwing up Mike Singletary's program and dealing the coach a setback in his first full season at the helm intimidating? Think about it, Crab ...

No. 11 -- Aaron Maybin, DE, Bills: Is he too light to play end? Can he do more than pass rush if he moves to linebacker? Was he a one-year wonder at Penn State? Will he be more than a situational player this year? Probably not if he keeps staying away and leaving these questions unanswered.

No. 12 -- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Yes, rookie running backs are typically the rare newcomers who can make a major impact in their NFL maiden voyages. But Moreno also has to internalize the numerous intricacies of Josh McDaniels' high-tech offense, which LaMont Jordan began doing last year in New England. (UPDATE: Moreno and the Broncos struck a deal Friday evening.)

No. 14 -- Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Saints: Prior to the draft, the major question about Jenkins was whether he projected better at cornerback or safety in the NFL. The better question at present might be whether he'll beat out Randall Gay to be the Saints' primary nickelback.

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About Nate Davis

Nate Davis is a reporter, blogger and editor who's been at USA TODAY since 2000. He has covered the NFL since 2005. No, he did not play quarterback for Ball State. Davis' succession of our esteemed colleague Sean Leahy at The Huddle is considered a Brady-for-Bledsoe swap by most "insiders."More about Nate